Plea is formaility as doctor awaits trial

Published 1:52 pm, Thursday, July 2, 2015

GALVESTON – A former M.D. Anderson pediatric cancer specialist pleaded not guilty Thursday in federal court in Galveston to possession of child pornography on his home computer.

Dr. Dennis Patrick Hughes made his plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge John Froeschner after the charges against him were read.

A grand jury indicted the 49-year-old Hughes last week on one count each of receipt of child pornography, access with intent to view child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Testimony before Froeschner in a bond hearing last month revealed that Hughes had admitted possessing pornography to FBI investigators who arrested him at his Pearland home and confiscated his computer.

Hugh's attorney, Neal Davis, suggested Thursday that a plea bargain was possible for Hughes. "I expect a resolution at some point," Davis said. "He's been getting help for his problem and he's getting back on his feet. We are just focusing on trying to get him better."

Froeschner last month set Hughes' bail at $50,000 with strict conditions, including a ban on the use of computers or devices connected to the Internet and a requirement that a third party other than his wife be present when he is with children other than his own. The pediatric oncologist was later released.

Hughes, a graduate of the Yale School of Medicine who was a tenured professor at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, resigned after his arrest. There is no evidence that he molested patients or any other children.